11 December 2025
GOLD COAST CONNECT – MELBOURNE & SYDNEY: MARCH 2026
After an incredibly positive response from this year’s recent Gold Coast Connect events, we are excited to announce that both events will return in March 2026.
These flagship networking events are designed to help our business events partners grow their client base, strengthen industry relationships, and showcase the collaborative energy that makes the Gold Coast a leading destination for events.
Next year’s events will take place at two premium city venues over the following dates:
- Gold Coast Connect, Melbourne: Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Gold Coast Connect, Sydney: Thursday 12 March 2026
*We have received a great level of interest again for these events. EOIs will be reviewed, prioritising partners who registered interest for this year’s event but did not receive a place. We will be in contact soon with an update..
SAVE THE DATE: THIS IS GOLD COAST 2026
We are pleased to confirm the dates for This is Gold Coast 2026 (TIGC26): Monday 3 to Thursday 6 August 2026.
We are excited to share that Sea World Resort has been selected as the host venue for the trade show on Tuesday 4 August 2026, providing an excellent setting for the refreshed, connection-focused format planned for TIGC26. We extend our thanks to all partners that submitted proposals for the trade show venue.
Further details will be shared in the new year. The TIGC26 Partner and Exhibitor Prospectus, outlining partnership and exhibitor opportunities, will be released at the end of January and emailed directly to eligible partners at BE Partner level and above.
AUSTRALIA NEXT, MELBOURNE & AUSTRALIA NEXT POST FAMIL, GOLD COAST
Andrea and Brooke, alongside some Gold Coast partners, attended Australia Next, which is Tourism Australia’s signature incentive showcase. The conference is designed to increase awareness of Australia as an outstanding incentive destination. The event provides the Australian business events industry the opportunity to connect with qualified incentive agents from around the world, while showcasing Australia’s best incentive experiences and products.
With over 95 buyers and media and over 97 Australian Industry sellers, was a fantastic few days ensuring Gold Coast is front of mind for Business Events.
The event will return in 2027 in Sydney and then 2029.
Post the conference, Andrea and Wendy from EGC hosted 20 buyers and media from China and Indonesia alongside Tourism Australia representatives. They were able to showcase the new Mondrian hotel and products such as Norwell Motorplex, Astra Lumina and Hinterland Experience with Pineapple Tours. The four-day program showcased all areas of the Gold Coast to this key market to attract incentive programs from 70 to 500 pax to our city.
ABEA CONFERENCE, MELBOURNE
Brooke and Cara represented EGC at the ABEA Industry conference in Melbourne. The two-day conference theme was ‘Partner with Impact’. Fantastic speakers and content from AI, partnership, accessibility, and time to connect with your sector tribe. The awards night celebrated the industry and was a chance to recognise key moments of the year.
In the second year of the association conference, it’s clear how vital it is for the industry to come together, connect, and collaborate. The hero session, “The Elephant Room,” brought different sectors of our industry into one space to openly discuss challenges, explore opportunities, and consider how we can collectively make a greater impact.
EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST AT PCOA25
While the conference delivered valuable insights and conversations, one of the highlights was our intimate dinner with 12 clients and 8 EGC partners. The evening provided the perfect setting to connect more personally with key New Zealand clients while in destination.
We return energised, inspired, and excited to continue showcasing the Gold Coast as a leading destination for business events.
TRADE ACTIVITY CALENDAR FOR FY26
- Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) Tradeshow, Melbourne: 9-11 February 2026
- BEA/JTB Japan MICE Famil, Gold Coast: 24-26 February 2026
- BEA USA Showcase, USA: 10-19 March 2026
- BEA Southeast Asia Showcase, TBC: April (TBC)
- IMEX Europe, Frankfurt: 19-21 May 2026
UNIQUELY GOLD COAST
CLIENT NEWSLETTER
We’re excited to share that we have a refreshed edition of our client newsletter Uniquely Gold Coast - a quarterly connection to all things Gold Coast. From local supplier updates and inspiring city stories to thought leadership and insightful case studies, our newsletter is designed to keep clients informed and engaged.
If you have any new products, services, or case studies you'd like us to feature, please send them our way - we’d love to include them in an upcoming issue.
QUICK SNIPPETS
EXPERT GUIDE TO GOLD COAST BUSINESS EVENTS
The Experience Gold Coast Meeting Planners Guide provides you with an overview of the region, including information on venues, accommodation, attractions and the specialist services available to help you plan your event.
VIEW THE 27 NOV 2025 BUSINESS EVENTS UPDATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.